Close To Home

So many times we look outside for our lessons in life. We turn to TV, media, mentors and workshops. Really, the learning and beauty is so much closer to home.

Learning is always within we know that right? But sometimes we miss our own beauty so we look to the next best person: our partner or spouse. In this case, I look to my husband.

For so many reason I am choosing to write this blog. One is there is so much to say! Two is because he is a valuable team player that often gets ignored. Three is because I am not sure we are stroking our spouses enough. This is the person we chose to spend our life with! (Maybe I'm the only one who takes her husband for granted but I would guess I'm not.) And finally, they say not to wait for someone to be gone before you tell them how special they are, so here goes.

In April we went from a two car family to a one car family. As most of you know, this could be difficult and upsetting, especially if you are a busy family who likes to participate in life! Instead of letting this get anyone down, my husband went out, bought a mountain bike and declared that he would ride his bike to work everyday during the summer.

Very optimistic idea for such a realist.

So all summer he's riding his bike - never once complaining. Then one day he decides to enter into a triathlon at the end of the summer. I mean, why not? He's trained all summer long right?

This weekend we head to Lincoln City for their annual Sprint Triathlon at Devil's Lake. It was incredible. He did so well! In fact, he came in third place in his age group and 20th overall (176 participants in all). I was stunned... but not really.

Why am I telling you this story? Because I think it's fun to share. I forgot what it was like when it was just me and him. And I was there for him this weekend - no one else. What a rush!

Because we can find such grandure in our own homes. We lose sight of that sometimes when we are busy or focused on something else. We take those closest to us for granted. We don't mean to but we do. And when we do, we miss out on such lovely lessons, such beauty and such love. When we become parents, our focus shifts to those little ones. And how lovely they are .... but this relationship comes first; no exceptions.

So what did I learn - what did my husband teach me?

Look on the bright side...all the time! If we were attached to material items, losing our car could have caused a lot of problems. He turned it around and made such a positive experience out it for us all.

Competition is good - it has it's place. How could our kids ever learn about being non-competitive unless they understood how to compete!

Humility. He rode his bike every day ... including today, the day after the triathlon!
Perseverance. He did it completely even when he didn't feel like it.

Commitment. He enrolled in the triathlon, completed it and performed well!

Courage. He never did this before! No idea what to expect...just jumped right in!

I feel so proud and lucky to have such an incredible role model for my girls! Just a lovely reminder to notice those who are close to you. They are close to you so they can teach you lessons about yourself. Every day, allow yourself to be reminded about why you chose this person to be your spouse or partner. All those qualities are there...sometimes we just don't notice them.

Start today - find the beauty - reignite the fire - put them first again.